Following his acclaimed videos for “Ride em on Down” and “Angry,” Francois Rousselet re-unites with The Rolling Stones for a third time to direct the first single “In the Stars” from their new album “Foreign Tongues” starring Odessa A’Zion.
Paying tribute to the band’s enduring influence on music, fashion, and culture, the film centers around younger versions of Mick, Keith, and Ronnie gathered in the ultimate recording session, a room overflowing with more than one hundred musicians, singers and dancers all jamming together in unison. Moving through the crowd, A’Zion guides us through the electric atmosphere, capturing the attitude, rhythm, and raw energy pulsing through every performer.
Rousselet, who directed via Riff Raff Films, said, “One of the challenges for this production was not simply casting the sheer volume of talent required,..over 100 musicians and dancers in the space of a week, but ensuring every performer could convincingly inhabit the world of the band. Each musician had to quickly learn and perform the track in a way that felt authentic on camera.
“The key was finding leads for the band who could truly sell the physicality of the performance. That human element was critical.
“Without it, the de-aging wouldn’t feel believable or emotionally real. I didn’t want the shoot to feel constrained by the post/VFX requirements. It was important to me that the performers and camera could move naturally, the same way you would when filming a real band performance. That freedom and unpredictability is what gives the video its energy and authenticity.
“To direct a third video for The Rolling Stones as someone who grew up as a true fan is an incredible privilege. Their music has shaped generations, including mine, and being trusted again to help bring their vision to the screen is something I’ll never take for granted.”
Jennifer Howell, chief creative officer at AI entertainment studio Deep Voodoo, said, “The Rolling Stones revolutionized music and culture and have continued to do so throughout their careers. Having the opportunity to pair the band with cutting edge technology has been an absolute dream.”
